32. California

The Golden State’s economy is glittering again, flush with capital and innovation. But you will pay dearly to do business here.

Top States California
Source: George Kavallines
Category
Score
2016 Rank
2015 Rank
Workforce 220 21 26
Cost of Doing Business 84 49 49
Infrastructure 165 33 28 (Tie)
Economy 243 8 7
Quality of Life 187 23 15 (Tie)
Technology & Innovation 201 2 2
Education 85 38 32 (Tie)
Business Friendliness 8 50 50
Cost of Living 6 47 46
Access to Capital 49 2 (Tie) 1 (Tie)
Overall 1248 32 27

Economic Profile

Governor: Jerry Brown, Democrat

Population: 39,144,818

GDP growth: 4.1 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2016): 5.2 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 8.84 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 12.3 percent

Gasoline tax: 58.83 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa3, stable

Major private employers: Kaiser Permanente, Apple

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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